Will Godfrey wrote:

Hello,

I have a dedicated outlet for a 220V window air conditioner that is
connected to the main panel with 12-gauge wire and a 20-amp fuse. The
label on the air conditioner says "Cooling Amps 15.0/16/5," which would
lead me to believe that the wire is sufficient for the load. But, the
label also says "use time delay fuse or circuit breaker 30 amp." If a
30-amp fuse is required, does this mean that I need to replace the wire
with 10-gauge?

Here's the entire label from the unit:
Frigidare Gallery air conditoner
Model # FAS295J2A4
Serial # JK22068612
Volts 230/208
Cooling Amps 15.0/16.5
Cooling Watts 3365 3300
Cooling EER DOE 8.5/8.5
BTU 28,500
use time delay fuse or circuit breaker 30 amp

Thanks for your help!
Will

#12 copper wire is appropriate for 20 amps. It's a good idea to keep
continuous loads to 80% of this maximum value so your 16 amp load is ok.
The suggestion that a time delay fuse be used indicates that there is
a short duration motor starting current that may exceed 20 amps.
Consequently a fuse, or circuit breaker that has a delay characteristic
so that it doesn't blow or trip immediately when its current limit is
exceeded is what you may need. Most Square-D QO series breakers
(commonly used in good residential installations and available at Home
Depot) are marked HACR (heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration)
and have a delay, or inverse time characteristic.

Boden